Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Wetland Heterogeneity

  • Reference work entry
  • First Online:
The Wetland Book

Abstract

Heterogeneity is a key feature of wetland ecosystems, which vary physically, chemically, and biologically over space and time. Today, longstanding interest in how heterogeneity influences fundamental ecological processes is coupled with concern that anthropogenic changes are reducing the heterogeneity of wetland and other ecosystems. Spatial heterogeneity is apparent in wetlands at landscape, habitat, and micro scales. Variation can be gradual along environmental gradients or abrupt; even relatively small changes in wetlands can exert large influences through interactions with hydrology. Temporal heterogeneity is an important feature of wetlands, from the decadal or longer scales associated with vegetation succession to diurnal variability in water levels. Origins, effects, and applications of heterogeneity to wetland management are discussed, with a focus on the spatial dimension of wetland heterogeneity at the habitat scale.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Able KW, Hagan SM, Brown SA. Mechanisms of marsh habitat alteration due to Phragmites: response of young-of-the-year Mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus) to treatment for Phragmites removal. Estuaries. 2003;26:484–94.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Angradi T, Hagan S, Able K. Vegetation type and the intertidal macroinvertebrate fauna of a brackish marsh: Phragmites vs Spartina. Wetlands 2001;21:75-92.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bertness MD. Interspecies interactions among high marsh perennials in a New England salt marsh. Ecology 1991;72:125-137.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brinson MM. A Hydrogeomorphic Classification for Wetlands. Vicksburg: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Waterways Experiment Station, Wetlands Research Program Technical Report WRP-DE-4. 1993.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brose U. Relative importance of isolation, area and habitat heterogeneity for vascular plant species richness of temporary wetlands in east-German farmland. Ecography. 2001;24:722–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crain CM, Bertness ND. Community impacts of a tussock sedge: is ecosystem engineering important in benign habitats? Ecology. 2005;86:2695–704.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fogel BN, Crain CM, Bertness MD. Community level engineering effects of Triglochin maritima (seaside arrowgrass) in a salt marsh in northern New England, USA. J Ecol. 2004;92:589–97.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Larkin DJ, Madon SP, West JM, Zedler JB. Topographic heterogeneity influences fish use of an experimentally restored tidal marsh. Ecol Appl. 2008;18:483–96.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Larkin DJ, Vivian-Smith G, Zedler JB. Topographic heterogeneity theory and ecological restoration. In: Falk DA, Palmer MA, Zedler JB, editors. Foundations of Restoration Ecology. Washington, DC: Island Press; 2006. p. 142–64.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lawrence BA, Zedler JB. Formation of tussocks by sedges: effects of hydroperiod and nutrients. Ecol Appl. 2011;21:1745–59.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McClain, ME, Boyer EW, Dent CL, Gergel SE, Grimm NB, Groffman PM, Hart SC, Harvey JW, Johnston CA, Mayorga E, McDowell WH, Pinay G. Biogeochemical hot spots and hot moments at the interface of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Ecosystems 2003;6:301–312.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McKinney ML, Lockwood JL. Biotic homogenization: a few winners replacing many losers in the next mass extinction. Trends Ecol Evol. 1999;14:450–3.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Palmer MA. Reforming watershed restoration: science in need of application and applications in need of science. Estuar Coasts. 2009;32:1-17.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pennings SC, Callaway RM. Salt marsh plant zonation: the relative importance of competition and physical factors. Ecology. 1992;73:681–90.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rehm EM, Baldassarre GA. The influence of interspersion on marsh bird abundance in New York. Wilson J Ornithol. 2007;119:648–54.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Squires L, van der Valk AG. Water-depth tolerances of the dominant emergent macrophytes of the Delta Marsh, Manitoba. Can J Bot. 1992;70:1860–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Swanson DK, Grigal DF. A simulation model of mire patterning. Oikos. 1988;53:309–14.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vivian-Smith G. Microtopographic heterogeneity and floristic diversity in experimental wetland communities. J Ecol. 1997;85:71–82.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Werner KJ, Zedler JB. How sedge meadow soils, microtopography, and vegetation respond to sedimentation. Wetlands. 2002;22:451–66.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Williams PB, Orr MK, Garrity NJ. Hydraulic geometry: a geomorphic design tool for tidal marsh channel evolution in wetland restoration projects. Restor Ecol. 2002;10:577–90.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wolf KL, Ahn C, Noe GB. Microtopography enhances nitrogen cycling and removal in created mitigation wetlands. Ecol Eng. 2011;37:1398–406.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology and Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center, University of Minnesota, 135 Skok Hall 2003 Upper Buford Circle, St. Paul, MN, 55108, USA

    Daniel J. Larkin

Authors
  1. Daniel J. Larkin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Daniel J. Larkin .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Land, Water and Society, Charles Sturt University, Albury, NSW, Australia

    C. Max Finlayson

  2. International Water Security Network, University of the West of England, Bristol, UK

    Mark Everard

  3. UNESCO-IHE, Institute for Water Education, Delft, The Netherlands

    Kenneth Irvine

  4. RM Wetlands and Environment Ltd., Littleworth, Oxfordshire, UK

    Robert J. McInnes

  5. U.S. Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Lafayette, LA, USA

    Beth A. Middleton

  6. Aquatic Ecosystems Group, Department of Water Science and Engineering, UNESCO-IHE, Institute for Water Education, Delft, The Netherlands

    Anne A. van Dam

  7. Institute for Land, Water and Society, Charles Sturt University, Albury, NSW, Australia

    Nick C. Davidson

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer Science+Business Media B.V., part of Springer Nature

About this entry

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this entry

Larkin, D. (2018). Wetland Heterogeneity. In: Finlayson, C.M., et al. The Wetland Book. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-9659-3_52

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation